It appears to be over / An apology

[rrich]

This evening, CNN sort of declared that the state of Pennsylvania has gone for Biden. The absentee ballots and vote by mail ballots seem to be running 70% in favor of Biden. With the 20 Electoral votes going to Biden, his total is over the needed majority plus one.

Trump is attempting to disqualify the mail in votes as most come from opposition areas. He is having lawyers attempt to use the courts to disqualify the mail in votes. It is very doubtful that the legal maneuver will succeed.

To all my friends in Australia and the remainder of the planet, please accept my apology for the previous 4 years of pain, suffering and stress inflicted by our lack of leadership. As a leader, one can not see where they are leading when they suffer from a cranial / rectal inversion.

[BobL]

Humm . . . . I wish but can't help thinking it's just started. As they say it ain't over till the fat lady sings or Elvis leaves the building

[Lyle]

I have a friend working in one of the tally facilities. A bit scared with DT supporters toting guns and shouting "stop the count" , "jail the counters" and other derogatory stuff. They've been basically barricaded inside.
These idiots bring guns to vote?????
At least I saw Biden saying keep calm and let the process go on peacefully.
May you all be safe.
Lyle

[woodPixel]

Yes. I feel we've seen only the opening act.

The next 4 years are going to be hell for the USA. If Trump is forcibly dragged out (which he will) you can guarantee he won't shut up about it (expect an unending 4 year petulant tantrum) and will run a vicious campaign next time.... then his spawn next after THAT.


Yes, Lyle, those gun carrying rednecks are a worry. Imagine this....

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[Chris Parks]

Would the Republican party allow him to run under their banner in the next election? I can see him being banned from all the popular social media once he is out of office and that will really wind him up and he might perhaps create his own social media to carry on the good fight. I can't comprehend how anyone with an ounce of intelligence would vote for him but people of his type seem to be able to attract followers for some reason.

[markharrison]

Would the Republican party allow him to run under their banner in the next election? I can see him being banned from all the popular social media once he is out of office and that will really wind him up and he might perhaps create his own social media to carry on the good fight. I can't comprehend how anyone with an ounce of intelligence would vote for him but people of his type seem to be able to attract followers for some reason.

It's hard to know how this is going to play in the long run.

There are at least 10 million more people that voted for Trump in 2020 than in 2016. In 2016, you could be forgiven because even though he was then a public figure; his ability to manage was based on his fictional alter-ego, the great wheeler-dealer, hard-man "boss" in a reality television show. He clearly has no talent for actual management, but yet an additional 10M extra votes. To use that US expression; Go figure ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

The fact that senior serious figures in the Republican Party like John Bolton fell hook, line, and sinker for the whole grift speaks volumes about the judgement of those people. Will the Republicans abandon all of its principles and run him again? In my opinion, yes. That primary process is going to be brutal for anyone who has a last name that is not Trump though.

The big but; Trump is facing a whirlwind of legal peril after January 20, 2021; and he knows it. A lot of it at a state level so beyond the ability to pardon himself for; assuming that is even legally possible.

Plus there is somewhere north of $400m USD of debt that is coming due for Trump in the near future. He might well be bankrupt (again). I don't know what the eligibility requirements are for candidates for President, but it is hard to imagine that a bankrupt or convicted felon would be eligible. That said, it would not surprise me if that is okay. The USA has some unusual election practices by comparison to most developed countries!

On a personal level; I was approached by a recruiter for a US company in late October/early November 2016 and it was a great career opportunity. Most of you would not know; but we are a multi-racial family. The day after the election, I cancelled. Obviously, I could not know how bad; but I knew it was going to be bad. It has been far worse than even I thought.

Zero regrets!

[Lappa]

I’m not a Donald fan but we have been peppered with a lot of commentary lately - not much choice as it’s on every news channel/station/ paper. Will Biden be any better - really? Many political commentators, economists etc, say the USA and the rest the allies are going to be in for a rough ride.
Different type of rough ride than under the current admin but still a rough ride.

[Bushmiller]

Plus there is somewhere north of $400m USD of debt that is coming due for Trump in the near future. He might well be bankrupt (again). I don't know what the eligibility requirements are for candidates for President, but it is hard to imagine that a bankrupt or convicted felon would be eligible. That said, it would not surprise me if that is okay. The USA has some unusual election practices by comparison to most developed countries!

Mark

Bankruptcy does not appear to be an impediment to become the supreme leader of the US. Trump had already been bankrupt six times prior to 2016.

Bizarre?

Regards
Paul

[markharrison]

Mark

Bankruptcy does not appear to be an impediment to become the supreme leader of the US. Trump had already been bankrupt six times prior to 2016.

Your number gels with my recollection.

However, there is a difference between having once been bankrupt and being an undischarged bankrupt; in most legal jurisdictions anyway.

[justonething]

Humm . . . . I wish but can't help thinking it's just started. As they say it ain't over till the fat lady sings or Elvis leaves the building

The fat lady is singing, her name is Georgia.

RRich, all is forgiven now. I feel for you guys in the US. Stay safe regards from the Virus Island.

[ian]

This evening, CNN sort of declared that the state of Pennsylvania has gone for Biden. The absentee ballots and vote by mail ballots seem to be running 70% in favor of Biden. With the 20 Electoral votes going to Biden, his total is over the needed majority plus one.

Trump is attempting to disqualify the mail in votes as most come from opposition areas. He is having lawyers attempt to use the courts to disqualify the mail in votes. It is very doubtful that the legal maneuver will succeed.

To all my friends in Australia and the remainder of the planet, please accept my apology for the previous 4 years of pain, suffering and stress inflicted by our lack of leadership. As a leader, one can not see where they are leading when they suffer from a cranial / rectal inversion.

I wish I could be more positive ...


Biden and the Democrats have not won control of the US Senate.

The US is, if anything, more divided on partisan political lines than ever.

Since the Republicans lost control of the House 2 years ago, almost no legislation has been passed by the US Senate.

A I understand the US political system, even as president, Biden needs the US Senate to confirm his cabinet choices. What is the probability of this happening if the US Senate is controlled for at least the next 2 years by the "Party of Trump"

And if this happens what will Biden's approval rating be in November 2022 when the House and 1/3 of the Senate is up for re-election?

[Glider]

As I sit watching the celebrations on CNN, there's no sign of Trump's storm troopers; those gym muscled beer bellied men toting assault weapons in arms adorned with brave paintings and whose courage increases in proportion to the size of their gang.

All will depend on what their beloved leader says in response to his loss.

mick

[woodPixel]

What's to say he must concede anything?

Maybe he'll use the 3 months to wreck the joint...

What's to force him to offer a "smooth transition"? Perhaps he'll say no. Perhaps his team will bar entry until 11.59pm on the last day!

..
..
Remember, George W had 9/11....

[elanjacobs]

As others have said, it is most definitely not over yet. There will be lawsuits and all the obstruction they can get away with.

I don't know how much better Biden will be (especially if the Senate stays red), but at least we can look forward to the President not being a a morally bankrupt husk.

[Glider]

The result doesn't become official until 6 January when the electoral college is appointed and meets to ratify the result.

Every electoral official in the country has been put on notice for months by Trump. In the absence of any immediate evidence, it's highly unlikely that any of the lawsuits will prevail. The previous litigation has been slapped down by the courts.

mick